rub 1 of 2

noun

Definition of rubnext
as in headache
something that is a source of irritation even what seems to be a dream job usually turns out to have its fair share of rubs

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rub

2 of 2

verb

ˈrəb How to pronounce rub (audio)
1
as in to wear
to damage or diminish by continued friction the brake pads were rubbed away as a result of years of use

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to sand
to make smooth by friction the furniture restorer rubbed the board perfectly smooth with sandpaper

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to polish
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure the butler rubbed the silver tea set until it gleamed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rub
Noun
Use it to haul supplies or protect your vehicle from ladder rung rub. — Kris Millgate, USA Today, 1 July 2026 Some are smothered in that nuclear rub, the equivalent of a stag-do dare. — Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 30 June 2026
Verb
Prosecutors had alleged Smith rubbed the Orland Park child’s back under his shirt, causing scratches, during their 14 tutoring sessions from December 2025 to January. — Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2026 With eight goals and two assists so far this tournament, the GOAT will be rubbing his hands. — Mark Hodge, NBC news, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for rub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rub
  1. headache
  2. wear
  3. sand
  4. polish
  5. thorn
  6. erode
  7. grind
  8. smooth
Noun
  • Around one in 13 people experience recurring morning headaches, research suggests, with women and those between the ages of 45 and 64 more likely to have them.
    — Kathleen Felton, Washington Post, 17 July 2026
  • As body temperature rises and humidity limits the body’s ability to cool itself, mild symptoms such as cramps and headaches can progress to shortness of breath, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and ultimately life-threatening heat stroke.
    — Laura Schifter, Time, 17 July 2026
Definition of headache
Verb
  • No video has surfaced depicting the moment of the shooting and none of the officers were wearing body cameras.
    — Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
  • The fan festival outside the stadium was packed with fans wearing colors that didn’t represent England or France.
    — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 19 July 2026
Definition of wear
Verb
  • Roughly a month before Kirk’s killing, Twiggs said Robinson asked for a Dremel, a tool used for sanding or grinding, to engrave bullets for an upcoming family hunting trip.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Rather than using a standard stonewash, TacticalGeek says the blade is hand-finished with sanding and polishing steps that refine the surface from coarse to fine, while the groove area uses EDM machining for extra texture and visual depth.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 July 2026
Definition of sand
Verb
  • Set near the Apollo Theater in Harlem, the restaurant delivers scale, confidence, and polish without falling into the usual steakhouse performance.
    — Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
  • The investment of time and money put into excavating and polishing a skeleton such as Gus would not be possible, according to Hatton, without the prospect of a high-value sale.
    — Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 13 July 2026
Definition of polish
Noun
  • Worst of all, these trees have become invasive, crossing with other Callery cultivars to create wild hybrids that produce four-inch-long thorns.
    — Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 15 July 2026
  • And as Jones notes, much of that is due to the actors who’ve thrown themselves into the characters, thorns and all.
    — Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
Definition of thorn
Verb
  • Without that know-how, the investment sits idle and erodes unseen.
    — Kerry Huang, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • This smoke has eroded decades of air quality improvements in parts of the US, particularly in the West.
    — Brandon Miller, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Definition of erode
Verb
  • The bones were ground up into bone ash, used as fertilizer, and burned to make bone black, used both as a dye and a filter for cane sugar juice.
    — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 20 July 2026
  • The performers grind and moan as rain pours from above and a wind machine roars.
    — Lauren Oyler, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Definition of grind
Verb
  • The new schedule aligns with the National Women’s Soccer League, smoothing the process for player loans.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 16 July 2026
  • The wide straps offer support, while compression seaming on the waist and back smooths the torso.
    — Alexandra Malmed, InStyle, 16 July 2026
Definition of smooth

Phrases Containing rub

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royalty
rub
rubbed
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Cite this Entry

“Rub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rub. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of rub for Spanish Speakers

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